7.10.09

With so much talk at the moment regarding Authentic Designer Furniture versus Replica Furniture, we thought it best to set the record straight on where Corporate Culture stand on Authentic Design. The term ‘design’ is key in the entire debate. Original design is not driven by price, nor does original design need to be expensive to be considered ‘designer’. Original design is about creative problem solving and innovation. Too often are the masters such as Arne Jacobsen and Le Corbusier’s design philosophies misunderstood? The Series 7 chair was never intended to be a luxury item, it was intended to be an everyday chair for all people. With time these prolific works have become enormously desirable and yes, a leather Egg chair or an LC4 Chaise are not in every one's budget, but why? Is it not a testament to the designers that these pieces have stood the test of time both in style and quality? In many cases vintage pieces from names like Jacobsen, Le Corbusier and Wegner are equally expensive as buying brand-new.The issue is not in the price tag, it would be unrealistic of us to expect everyone to afford many of these items, but we don’t believe the solution lies in replicas. For those who cannot afford these pieces, spend your money on new up and coming talent, support the current generation of designers with dreams of one day being considered one of the greats. We can’t guarantee you they will become one of the greats and quadruple in value, but we can guarantee you the replicas definitely won’t.

Arne Jacobsen designed the Series 7 in 1955.

Series 7 today, by Fritz Hansen

Le Corbusier designed the LC4 in 1928LC4 Chaise today, by Cassina

Hans J Wegner designed the CH24 'Wishbone Chair' in 1950.

CH24 'Wishbone Chair' today, by Carl Hansen & Sons.

Corporate Culture are proud founding members of the Authentic Design Alliance.